Change your username through the Epic Games website

The fastest way to change your Fortnite username is through your Epic Games account settings on a web browser. Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in with the email and password you use for Fortnite, then click your account name in the top right corner and select "Account". From there, click "General" on the left side, find the "Display Name" field, and type your new username.

Your new display name appears in Fortnite within a few minutes. The name you choose must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or special characters like @, #, or &. Epic Games does not allow usernames that are already taken by another player, so if your first choice is unavailable, you will see an error message and can try again.

You can change your display name once every 30 days. If you changed it recently and want to change it again, the website will tell you exactly when you can make another change. This cooldown applies whether you changed it yourself or Epic Games reset it for violating their username policy.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit epicgames.com, sign in, go to Account > General, and edit the Display Name field to change your username when ready.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 16 characters long and can only contain letters and numbers — no spaces or symbols.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, and the new name takes effect in Fortnite within a few minutes.
  • If your chosen name is already taken, try a different combination or add numbers to make it unique.
  • Changing your username does not affect your account progress, V-Bucks balance, or cosmetics — everything stays with your account.

What happens to your old username

When you change your display name, your old username becomes available for another player to use after a short delay. Your account itself does not disappear — your progress, cosmetics, and V-Bucks stay exactly where they are. Friends who added you under your old name will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new one the next time they launch Fortnite or refresh their friends list.

If you were in the middle of a match when you changed your username, you may see your old name in that match until the game restarts. This is normal and does not mean the change failed.

Changing your username on console or mobile

You cannot change your Fortnite username directly from PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or a mobile device. You must use the Epic Games website on a computer or phone browser. After you change it on the website, the new name syncs to all platforms where you play Fortnite — console, PC, and mobile all show the same display name.

If you are signed into Fortnite on a console, you can still visit epicgames.com on your phone or computer, make the change, and it will appear in your console game the next time you launch it or restart the process.

Usernames Epic Games will not allow

Epic Games blocks usernames that contain hate speech, slurs, or references to real violence. They also reject names that impersonate Epic Games staff, famous people, or other well-known players. If you try to set a username that violates their policy, the website will reject it and you will need to choose a different one.

If you set a username that breaks the rules and it goes unnoticed at first, Epic Games may reset it without warning. When that happens, you will see a generic placeholder name in Fortnite until you choose a new one. You can change it again when ready — the 30-day cooldown does not explore when Epic Games resets your name for policy violations.

Troubleshooting a username change that did not work

If you changed your display name on the Epic Games website but it still shows your old name in Fortnite, try closing the game completely and launching it again. Sometimes the client does not refresh when ready. If the old name persists after a full restart, sign out of your Epic Games account on the website, wait a few minutes, and sign back in to check the Display Name field — it should show your new name.

If the website shows your new name but Fortnite still displays the old one after restarting, your game client may be out of date. Check your platform's app store or launcher for a Fortnite update and install it. After updating, restart Fortnite and your new username should appear.

Changing the username on a linked console account

If you linked your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch account to your Epic Games account, changing your Epic Games display name changes your Fortnite name on that console. You do not need to change anything in your console settings — the change happens only through the Epic Games website.

Your console's own username (your PlayStation Network ID, Xbox Gamertag, or Nintendo Switch profile name) stays the same. Only your Fortnite display name changes. This means your friends on console will see your new Fortnite name, but your console profile name remains unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, as long as no one else has claimed that old username. Since usernames become available for others to use after you change yours, someone may have taken it. If it is still available, you can change back to it, but you will still need to wait 30 days from your last change.

What if someone else is using the username I want?

You cannot use a username that another player has already claimed. Try adding numbers to the end, using a different spelling, or combining it with a word related to your playstyle. The website will tell you when ready if a name is taken so you can try alternatives.

Does changing my username affect my rank or stats?

No. Your account rank, match history, wins, and all statistics stay exactly the same. The change is purely cosmetic — it only affects what other players see when they look at your profile or encounter you in a match.

Can I change my username if I have not played in a long time?

Yes. As long as your Epic Games account exists and you can sign in, you can change your display name regardless of how long it has been since you last played Fortnite. Your account does not expire or lock due to inactivity.

Will my friends still see me after I change my name?

Yes. Friends who added you will still see you in their friends list under your new name. They do not need to re-add you or do anything on their end — the change is automatic.